Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-02
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Deoate ON the Irish Crimes Bin-The
Motlon for ClOture Carried and the
FIRST Reading of the Bill Agreed to-
Parnell's Speech.
LONDnN- Anril ]

LONDON, April l.
In the House of Commons tonight w.
Smith, first lord of the treasury. sugpas,ad
tnat II the Irish crimes bill be read the irst
time tonight the second reading could be
taken up Tuesday and then there would be
an interval of week between the second
reading and going into committee. He said
II was the imperitive duty of the government
10 insist that the Houss come to an early de-
cislen on the principle of the BILL Referring
TO the land bill he said it was of vital import
auce tnat the government use every effort to
make the measure law.
farnell, upon rising to resume the debate
on the crimes bill, was loudly cheered. He
said that with the production of the land hin
yesterday Parliament had been nut in nos.
session of complete plan of government in
all nakedness and dishonesty. The land bill
had revealed the extent of the plot and grav-
lty OF the conspiracy through which the con.
servstives and liberal unionists intended TO
try 10 coerce the tenants IN Ireland into the
payment of impossible rents and compel them
to purchase their landlords interest at exorb-
itant rates. If the House should ever give
the government power thus to coerce the peo-
pie the result would most certainly be a
wholesale reputation involving immense
loss to British taxpayers. The government
had refused TO carry out the recommends
tions of the land commission. # the coer-
cion bill were passed the last defence of the
tenants against wholesale robbery would be
removed. In justly regulated land purchase
lay the only hope of settling the land ques-
ton. 1T it was done at fair price and in
the absence OF coercion, Irish tenants would
fulnll their obligations TO the last penny.
He went on to complain OF
| Qh # off ia1 inf
crime in Ireland. The government ha1 Civ.
en- them the opinion of four judges who
thought that crime was seriously increasing.
He could quote twelve judges to shew the
absence of serious crime. As to the alleged
| failures of luries to convict, the cases have
been grossly exaggerated. They were utter
ly Insufficient grounds for DESTROYING the lib
critics of Ireland. The National Lesgue had
been called tyranny, but there was no proof
that any pressure had been put on any one to
| join the League. 1t was purely national
BODY the outcome of genuine popular feeling
and no branch of the League had ever been
known to exercise force in order to impress
members. Proceeding to discuss the provis
ions of the bill, Mr.. Parnell contended that
| the powers given to magistrates would ena-
BILE them to send political opponents to prison
for six months. No part of the previous CO.
ercion act had ever excited so much distrust
of English justice as the proposal to change
the venue of trials and bring Irishmen before
special English juries. The proposal meant
reign of judicial murders. 1t meant that
all hopes of better times which seemed dawn
ing upon Ireland, would disappear. What
was the only state of society that could
arise under this reign of terror? Secret So
cieties would spring up fostered by the suffer
ings of an oppressed nation, and those who
have been persistent in counselling the peo-
| pie to observe patience and moderation,
might counsel in vain.
| The party which alone could gain by vio-
ence, by the people of Ireland going beyond
the law, was the present government. It's
object was to strengthen the governments
own miserable position. Gladstone would
not find his action hampered or his hands
sullied in the great and glorious work he had
undertaken. Cheers. He concluded by
moving that the House resolve itself into a
commission to consider the state of Ireland.
| Mr.. L. 2. O'Connor moved to adjourn the
debate.
Gladstone, in supporting the motion, said
there, were strong reasons for it. lie defend
ed Parnells delay in mo-ing his amendment
and said this was grave aud serious case,
demanding another night for discussion.
With reference to Parnells speech Glad
stone said that he had never known OF an in
stance in which the case made for such bill
was so completely torn to pieces.
W. II. Smith said he was not much i'm
pressed by Gladstone's arguments. He com
| planned because the Parnelites had not risen
sooner and said he was unable to accede to
O'Connor's request
Parpell supported O'Connor's motion,
| Lord Harrington taunted the Parnellites
with having wasted time early in the evening
on crofter discussion. The speeches already
delivered, he said, were properly the second
readingsand committee speeches. Much
time had already been given the Irish ques-
ton. He would oppose adjournment.
Sir VIM. Vernon Harcourt said the union
lists policy was now clearly shown. 1t was q
policy of coercion, pure and simple.
O'Connor's motion was rejected by vote
of 36l to 254.
Upon Smith putting the questions Glad
stone rose and walked alone down the floor
of the House to the lobby, all the members
of the opposition standing and cheering hin
as he did so. On returning to the House he
was again loudly cheered.
The motion for cloture was carried by 6
vote of 36l to 253 and the first reading of the
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